I can't believe how much better things are around here since both my sons are being treated with the proper medication and therapy. At one point they were miserable, we were miserable, but now... finally.... there is peace all around our home. They are experiencing successes, are balanced, and really seem to feel very good about themselves.

Our oldest of three is off at college, in the honors program, getting straight A's, and is as happy as can be. He's always had a great disposition. Never a worry for us, never a problem. Over the years we've received compliments from people telling us what great parents we were. Believe or not, that comment always bothered me because, although we had some influence, it was him, not us, that made him what he is. Having other children definitely puts things in perspective.

Our other children are just as great and we have received wonderful comments from people about them, but I knew they had potential to be "better", I just didn't know at the time how "better" they could be, until now. This is where the real parenting comes in. I will admit, I would not be bothered by compliments on my parenting now. *Note: What I mean by "better" is their happiness.

Our 2nd born was an excellent student, was happy, but then at the end of the middle school years we started to see changes. The changes were gradual, and with the hormones, I thought maybe that was why he wasn't doing very well. At the time he was getting headaches frequently, and horrible, chronic, debilitating canker sores,too. Looking back, I don't know if these were the result of the depression or if the chronic pain caused it. What I do know is...I FINALLY found the right doctors to fix the mouth, and the headaches, then later...the depression. This son of mine is finally at a very good place. He is so balanced and happy. He's matured over night, he's doing well in school, and he is so much fun to be around. Thank you, God, for answering my prayers! I never thought we'd see the light at the end of the tunnel!

And now, our youngest. He was always a happy child, and to others he might have seemed happy all along. My husband and I knew he was been hurting. He is another smart one, but all through school he struggled. Last year he started "hanging" around a group of kids we were not thrilled about. Our son started dressing "punky" and definitely had some anger issues that would surface more, especially when it came to school. Well, long story, short...I had him tested for ADD, he just started medication and received his first A in math. It happened overnight. He is so happy with himself. I knew he was very frustrated because he was smart, but couldn't produce. We also put a lot of pressure on the school to produce, too, but now it's all coming together. Thank God for the people out there that helped him.

My heart goes out to children who suffer from depression, ADD, etc., and the parents either don't know they have these kind of problems, or they don't have the resources and support.

I think, for the most part, the drug and drinking problems teens experience, could be eradicated if these issues were dealt with. That is why I am doing what I can to help the school staff be more educated in this department. In my case, I received a lot of resistance from my middle son's teachers, even with a diagnosis. It still hurts. Some of them claimed they were "knowledgeable" about depression, which was a joke because they were clueless. Anyway, at least, I can try and help others by getting some education on this subject, so that others don't have to go through what I went through. Maybe even, in some cases, the teachers can be influential in actually getting a student help.

Anyway.......I feel better, finally. I will enjoy this moment as long as I can.